From 1967, here's the Lennon Sisters doing their part for the USO by being in charge of the refreshments!I'm getting hungry already....is it lunchtime yet?
Wednesday, June 06, 2007
Picture of the day (6-6-07)
From 1967, here's the Lennon Sisters doing their part for the USO by being in charge of the refreshments!I'm getting hungry already....is it lunchtime yet?
Tuesday, June 05, 2007
Memories of Match Game
Anyone who likes game shows, or has GSN on their cable....knows all about the classic game show Match Game, hosted by Gene Rayburn.
And of course...all Lawrence Welk fans know that two times, in 1979 and 1981, our Gail Farrell appared on the celebrity panel....matching BLANK and BLANK
I have all of her shows from '81....but I am still looking for her first three shows from '79....and you can tell that she had wunnerful fun both times!
Here are some YouTube clips of Gail at her best....first when she's given a great introduction by Gene...
And second, when she's playing the big money supermatch for $10,000....
Here's another gem...as my tribute to celebrity panelist Charles Nelson Reilly, from the guys at Mystery Science Theater 3000....Crow's one man tour-de-farce production of "Give 'Em Hell...BLANK!"
Personally....I'm looking forward to the sequel, where Gail is sitting with the panel.
And of course...all Lawrence Welk fans know that two times, in 1979 and 1981, our Gail Farrell appared on the celebrity panel....matching BLANK and BLANK
I have all of her shows from '81....but I am still looking for her first three shows from '79....and you can tell that she had wunnerful fun both times!
Here are some YouTube clips of Gail at her best....first when she's given a great introduction by Gene...And second, when she's playing the big money supermatch for $10,000....
Here's another gem...as my tribute to celebrity panelist Charles Nelson Reilly, from the guys at Mystery Science Theater 3000....Crow's one man tour-de-farce production of "Give 'Em Hell...BLANK!"
Personally....I'm looking forward to the sequel, where Gail is sitting with the panel.
Monday, June 04, 2007
Sunday, June 03, 2007
Easy Listening for your viewing pleasure
This week's show, aired in many markets including Bowling Green, is Easy Listening....here are some highlights from the show!
The trio of Gail, Ron and Michael (Lawrence calls them "Gail's Trio") singing Let Me Be There....
Returning to the show now as a married couple....Sally Flynn and Clay Hart, as special guest stars, singing their signature tune, "United We Stand".
They were also interviewed by Mary Lou Metzger after the show by the way....
The Aldridge Sisters and Otwell Twins with "There's A Kind Of Hush (All Over The World)".....
...and the lovely Anacani getting down with "Una Paloma Blanca"....
...all this with the grand finale, "What The World Needs Now (Is Love, Sweet Love)....this easy listening show turns out to be a great show!
Next week is the classic Vacation Show....and Toledo should be out of mini-pledge mode by then!
Saturday, June 02, 2007
CLEEE-VELAND BASKETBALL!!!!
CAVS WIN !
CAVS WIN!
Beat Detroit 98-82....Goin' to the NBA Finals!
Tonight was a wunnerful, wunnerful game.....BRING ON THE SPURS!
CAVS WIN!
Beat Detroit 98-82....Goin' to the NBA Finals!
Tonight was a wunnerful, wunnerful game.....BRING ON THE SPURS!
Memories of Precious Memories....and GO CAVS!
Tonight, in many markets, "Easy Listening" is supposed to air...but here in Toledo, they are in mini-pledge mode so that means I'm getting the pledge special "Precious Memories" for the sixteen thousandth time.
Thank god I have Bowling Green to fall back on...
But still, Precious Memories...orginally taped on Labor Day 2004, was one of the finer Welk pledge specials, here are some....well.....precious memories!
Thank god I have Bowling Green to fall back on...
But still, Precious Memories...orginally taped on Labor Day 2004, was one of the finer Welk pledge specials, here are some....well.....precious memories!
The cast in the opening number, fellows in their tuxes and the ladies in their deep red velvet dresses....
The Lennon Sisters....Kathy, Janet and Mimi singing "Ava Maria".
The talented and lovely Gail Farrell...singing "You Can Do Anything".
Joe Feeney and his son Chris...all grown up.....singing "Walk On" with such gusto!
And the finale, everybody gathered around the piano singing a meldey of that old time religious hymns and songs!
In case of reference, the Welk stars in this special include the Feeneys, Lennons, Gail, Ralna English, Jo Ann Castle, Mary Lou Metzger, Tom Netherton, Ken Delo, Norma Zimmer, Guy Hovis and Bob Ralston.
Maybe I will switch back and forth and watch a bit of the show tonight....
....and at eight, watch the Cavaliers take down the Pistons in Game Six of the NBA Eastern Finals!
Since I have Sirius radio....I'll have the TV muted and listen to Joe Tait's play-by-play.
Better get the popcorn ready, this will be a wunnerful Saturday night!
Friday, June 01, 2007
Hurricane Tanya?
I stumbled upon the list of names for the 2007 US Hurricane season, and to my surprise, Tanya is listed as one of them.
Don't get me wrong, I hope our coastal friends (Florida, the Carolinas, Gulf Coast, Upper Atlantic region) avoid any landfall and spared of any damage this season...and if Hurricane (or Tropical Depression/Storm) Tanya does develop, it will be out of harms way in the middle of the sea.
I wonder if there are any other Atlantic storms that have been named after Welk Stars? Tropical Storm Ralna, Hurricane Lawrence?
Maybe by next year's hurricane season....my name will get chosen...
Thursday, May 31, 2007
The Rainier Beer Waltz
Found this gem on YouTube, it's a commercial for Rainier Beer where they parody Lawrence Welk and his Music Makers.
Here's another fun fact, pretending to be the Maestro in this spot is Pat Harrington, better known as TV's Schneider from "One Day At A Time."
Here's another fun fact, pretending to be the Maestro in this spot is Pat Harrington, better known as TV's Schneider from "One Day At A Time."
Happy Birthday Kathie!
It's the last day of the month of May, but here in Champagne Music Land....today is also Kathie Sullivan's birthday!
Here are some pictorial highlights of the Kenosha, Wisconsin native....
Gosh....I wonder why this fellow has a huge grin on his face?
As of this blog entry, Kathie lives in Dallas, Texas with her husband Hugh Tollack, and is the mother of two daughters.
Happy Birthday Kathie!
Here are some pictorial highlights of the Kenosha, Wisconsin native....
Gosh....I wonder why this fellow has a huge grin on his face?
As of this blog entry, Kathie lives in Dallas, Texas with her husband Hugh Tollack, and is the mother of two daughters.
Happy Birthday Kathie!
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Highlights from Salute To The Armed Forces '68
Last Saturday's episode was "Salute To The Armed Forces" from May of 1968, here are a few highlights.....
The opening number with the gang, "How Are Gonna Keep 'Em Down On The Farm?"
Myron Floren and his alley cats playing the accordian favorite, "Alley Cat"
And now, a Champagne Salute to the Beverly Hillbillies with "We Love Mountain Music."
Yes fellers....Jack Imel is "Every Inch A Sailor"...he used to serve in the Navy back in the day.
And now, a salute to all branches of the US military....with the Champagne Music Makers in full uniform!
The opening number with the gang, "How Are Gonna Keep 'Em Down On The Farm?"
Myron Floren and his alley cats playing the accordian favorite, "Alley Cat"
And now, a Champagne Salute to the Beverly Hillbillies with "We Love Mountain Music."
Yes fellers....Jack Imel is "Every Inch A Sailor"...he used to serve in the Navy back in the day.
And now, a salute to all branches of the US military....with the Champagne Music Makers in full uniform!
Picture of the day (5-30-07)
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Just returned home....
Howdy kids, just got back home from New Haven an hour and half ago....FINALLY at a reasonable time. My sister graduated with her Masters degree from Yale and spending the Memorial Day weekend on the East Coast was fun....but it is always great to be back home here in Toledo....the Heartland of America.Also, a huge thanks to our men and women in uniform that gave their blood fighting for this great country of ours....it's their sacrifices is why we live free and eat bratwursts and burgers off the grill on this time of year.
Friday, May 25, 2007
A "Perfidia" weekend coming up
From last week's show, here's Anacani with her rendition of the Xavier Cugat classic Perfidia.
Also, I'll be traveling to New Haven the next few days....to attend my sister's graduation from Yale grad school, so I'll be back on late Tuesday or early Wednesday.
Stay safe everyone....and have a happy Memorial Day weekend!
Also, I'll be traveling to New Haven the next few days....to attend my sister's graduation from Yale grad school, so I'll be back on late Tuesday or early Wednesday.
Stay safe everyone....and have a happy Memorial Day weekend!
Thursday, May 24, 2007
Arthur Duncan's best moves
For your dancing and entertainment pleasure, here are some fine moves made by our resident tap dancer Arthur Duncan!
Here's Art, with a colorful dance number in black & white.....
Arthur first joined the Welk show back in 1964....that has to be the best move of them all!
Here's Art, with a colorful dance number in black & white.....
....and here is his salute to the legendary Bill "Bojangles" Robinson
...plus there are times he needs to make extra money when times are tough, but always with a smile and a dance!
....finally, making it to the big time....with a little help courtesy of his friends!
Arthur first joined the Welk show back in 1964....that has to be the best move of them all! He still dances today, wherever he goes....he makes new friends!
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
Ghost Riders in the Sky
Picture of the day (5-23-07)
From 1971, here's Myron Floren with his trusty PAN accordian, leading the fellas with "The Yellow Rose Of Texas" on the Country and Western Salute show!Speaking of "Yellow Rose", that was the personal favorite song of President Dwight Eisenhower and First Lady Mamie....Lawrence and the music makers played that song for Ike's second presidental ignaural ball in 1956.
Monday, May 21, 2007
Lawrence Welk and MST3K, a match made in television heaven
I have always been one of these people who have more than one favorite television show, and have always been curious and imagined what if these two different worlds meet....kinda like when the Jetsons meet the Flintstones.
Here's are my two favorite shows,
There's the Lawrence Welk Show of course......
In case you want a refresher course, it is the show where a fella (Joel Robinson and later Mike Nelson) is marooned in space and along with his robot sidekicks Crow and Tom Servo are forced to watch the worst Grade B movies as an experiment by mad scientist Dr. Forrester and his assistant TV's Frank.
Here's are my two favorite shows,
There's the Lawrence Welk Show of course......
.....and there's the Sci-Fi classic Mystery Science Theater 3000
In case you want a refresher course, it is the show where a fella (Joel Robinson and later Mike Nelson) is marooned in space and along with his robot sidekicks Crow and Tom Servo are forced to watch the worst Grade B movies as an experiment by mad scientist Dr. Forrester and his assistant TV's Frank. The beauty of the show lies with the cast making running commentary on these movies, with clever wisecracking riffs that run the gammit of popular culture, plus terrific comedy sketches and musical numbers in between!
It does have a little bit of that Welk magic in some way.
I wonder what it would be like if Joel and the Bots got to meet the Maestro and the musical family?
And also if the music makers were introduced to the Mads down in Deep 13?
I also wondered if the Mads forced either the Lennon Sisters, Sandi & Sally or the Hotsy Totsy Boys to watch "Manos: The Hands Of Fate."
Perhaps, imagine the crew from the Satellite of Love take part in one of the msuical numbers by the Champagne Music Makers singing some "Yellow Bird" or dance to "Calcutta?"
In reality....I have wondered if any of the music makers have watched the show...or perhaps are huge fans as well?
Now that would be really cool....in more ways than one!
Until next time, as Lawrence used to say...."Keep A Song In Your Heart"
or as Dr. F used to say....."Push the Button Frank!"
Sunday, May 20, 2007
Salute To The Big Bands
This week's episode is a Salute To The Big Bands from 1980, here's the gang getting the show started with "Chattanooga Choo Choo" danced by Bobby & Elaine!
And here's the Aldridge Sisters and Otwell Twins singing "I'll Never Smile Again",
...and here's the Kentucky Gentleman Jimmy Roberts accompained by Neil Levang on guitar!
For the complete rundown of the show, just click here at BIG BAND SALUTE 1980
And here's the Aldridge Sisters and Otwell Twins singing "I'll Never Smile Again",
...and here's the Kentucky Gentleman Jimmy Roberts accompained by Neil Levang on guitar!
For the complete rundown of the show, just click here at BIG BAND SALUTE 1980
Saturday, May 19, 2007
Happy Birthday Bobby!
Today, is another music maker's birthday....and this time around we are happy to celebrate Bobby Burgess' big day!When he's either a Mickey Mousketeer, dancing on the Welk show with Barbara, Cissy or Elaine, or serving as role of husband and father....Bobby always has the right moves!
And these moves are always graceful and full of fun....
HAPPY BIRTHDAY BOBBY!
Friday, May 18, 2007
Jo Ann's birthday surprise
Bob, Ava and Russ
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Happy Birthday Natalie!
Picture of the Day (5-16-07)
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
It was just only a year ago today.....
For the webmaster of Welk Musical Family.com (THAT'S ME)....to officially become a blogmaster as well as this companion blog to my fine website was launched into service....exactly one year ago!After 300 plus posts and numerous acclaim....I am looking forward to more of my two cents and many champagne memories to share with you.
Thanks everyone for visiting and leaving a few comments as well!
Now it's time to get back to work....
Monday, May 14, 2007
Cissy's Wardrobe Malfunction to Carmen
If you watched Cissy's interview from this weekend's show, you may have heard where she talked about her "wardrobe malfunction" during her "Carmen" dance routine with Bobby Burgess....well, here on this fine American blog, thanks to YouTube, here's the actual number!
You'll laugh, you'll dance and smile.....but make sure your buttons are sewed on tightly!
You'll laugh, you'll dance and smile.....but make sure your buttons are sewed on tightly!
Sunday, May 13, 2007
Happy Mothers Day and Irving Berlin
Here's Cissy & Bobby facing reality by "Facing The Music and Dance!" from 1973's Salute To Irving Berlin!
First off......I like to wish all the mothers out there, including my own, a very Happy Mothers' Day today....and here in Toledo, the weather is very nice here as well!
This week's episode is a musical salute to Irving Berlin, I did a recap of that episode just a year ago when it first aired....you can read more about it by clicking on this link: SALUTE TO IRVING BERLIN
Saturday, May 12, 2007
The Curt Ramsey Quintet
One of the Lawrence Welk Show's popular vocal acts that were all familiar with is the Curt Ramsey Quintet...led by Curt himself, who originally played trumpet in the band and later became an arranger and music librarian.
The lineup has went through several incarnations....each new member bringing something different and unique to the table, here's the quintet through the years.
It all started here in the sixties.....the age of Aquarius
From 1967, Charlie Parlato, Norma Zimmer, Steve Smith, Curt Ramsey and Dick Cathcart...note Buddy Merrill is providing steel guitar melodies!
From 1969....Charlie, Norma, Steve with Andra Willis and Curt.....
It's now 1974....the quintet now has Dick Dale, Norma, Curt, Gail Farrell and Charlie!
And now we move on to the 1980s......
Here's Dick with Mary Lou Metzger joining Charlie, Gail and Curt.
The lineups may change, but the beautiful melodies and harmonies remain the same....they still sound terrfic on reruns!
The lineup has went through several incarnations....each new member bringing something different and unique to the table, here's the quintet through the years.
It all started here in the sixties.....the age of Aquarius
From 1967, Charlie Parlato, Norma Zimmer, Steve Smith, Curt Ramsey and Dick Cathcart...note Buddy Merrill is providing steel guitar melodies! 
From 1969....Charlie, Norma, Steve with Andra Willis and Curt.....
It's now 1974....the quintet now has Dick Dale, Norma, Curt, Gail Farrell and Charlie!And now we move on to the 1980s......
Here's Dick with Mary Lou Metzger joining Charlie, Gail and Curt. The lineups may change, but the beautiful melodies and harmonies remain the same....they still sound terrfic on reruns!
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